Which carries more weight when applying to grad school: academic references, GPA, or undergrad school's rep?

Question

I'm applying for an MA in English Literature and wanted to know what's more important. Of course, they are all important, but I'm curious which aspect is most impressive when grad committees choose new MA students.

Answer 1

The most important factor will be GRE and GPA in your field. As long as you have above a 3.0 or 3.5 cumulative GPA, the occasional lousy grade in a class other than English will not really count against you, especially if that class is a math or science course.

Your letters of recommendation will also be crucial. If they do not identify you as suitable for graduate level study, they will hurt tremendously.

Your undergraduate institution's reputation counts, but only to an extent. If your degree is from a relatively selective school, no problem. But if it is from a regional campus of a state university, or from a third-tier LAC, that could hurt.

Answer 2

The GPA is most important. I know at my university, the English department does not accept applicants with less than a 3.75 (out of 4). Some universities are less strict, but that's usually the cut-off.

Answer 3

I would say a good GRE score and GPA are of the most important. The other things will come in handy if the school's application process is very competitive as narrowing choices even greater. (although if you have poor references it could hurt you anyways.)

Answer 4

They are all important -- but GPA is most important. However, a high GPA from a bad school will impress no one.

High GRE scores also help.

Answer 5

I don't know about English, but in the sciences, research experience and publications trumps all of the above.

Answer 6

its a combination of things depending on the school. to ranked universities like to look at academics just as much as extra curricular activities...while community colleges might just look at academics.

SAT
ACT
GPA
Clubs
Community services
Leadership roles...etc